Bronco Info: 84 Bronco XLT, originally a 302-2v, now a 351c 2v.3.55 LSD front and rear

Diff questions concerning FSB and off roading

As it states in my info, my 84 Bronco has 3.55 gears with Limited Slip front and rear. Dana 44 up front and 8.8 in the back.

I am interested in potentially installing a lunchbox style (ratcheting) locker in this vehicle. Would it be better to put the locker in the 8.8 or would it be better suited in the TTB Dana 44?

I ask because I've read some people look down at the capabilities of the TTB off road.

What's everyone think?

Also as far as regearing the diffs. I've read that the 8.8 doesn't have a carrier break. So does this mean I could find any old open carrier from a full size Ford 8.8 and put my ring gear on it from the LSD carrier?

i would NOT put a locker up front with stock u joints/ axle shafts, due to the fact that too much stress is put on them when you turn the wheel, plus lockers/welded front make it dam near impossible to turn. lock it in the back and leave the ls up front, u will be pleased. however i would i would go with 4.10s in both and youll feel the power big time

Here's my 2 cents. Based on research for my own use, not experience, yet. The norm is to lock the rear first. Components are heavier for the rear, & if only one end has traction, the rear would be the choice.

Probably stay with the LS up front, but if you run a front locker, with the hubs unlocked, it shouldn't be a problem on the street. It's tight turns offroad that seem to be the issue. You will need a different carrier if you go past 3.73:1 up front.

Yes, you will need an open carrier for the lunchbox in the rear instead of your LS carrier. You should be able to reuse your existing gears on the new carrier, but with the effort involved in setting them up, you might want to find a complete open rear instead. Part of the appeal of a lunchbox locker is not having to set up gears. Someone would probably be willing to trade your complete LS rear end for their open. Or wait until you regear everything.

Explorer disks COME on an 8.8, but it's a narrow-track 28-spline with skinny axleshafts, small tubes, and small wheel flanges for the rotors to fit over. So putting those tiny brakes on a Bronco is like swapping to a 4-banger.

I'm talking about using modern Ford 1/2-ton truck 5-on-5.5" rear disks on a Bronco:

I haven't found a set of those brakes that I can afford yet, but I'm lookin'... I've already got the 16" rims.

Ken,
Thanks for reminding me about the VSS.
I had completely forgotten about that.

Yes I had read Boss's thread before and had originally planned to go this direction as I like the idea of being able to use OEM parts. I have saved his thread so I can go back there. I always do that when I find mods I will eventually do someday so I don't have to re-search out where they are.

Maybe I am misunderstanding what I'm reading (not like THAT ever happens!)
But I thought there was something about space in the 8.8 for the necessary gearing and locker??

If I get a 8.8 out of an exploder then what
I need to go to 4.56 gearing and I would like to lock up the rear somehow, although the traction lock so far has been dang good off-road.

If I get a locker up front with manual hubs will that work?

Eventually I will want to go to an ARB setup.
Is this something I can do after I have made all the other mods to the front and rear that I want?

I know for some of the gearheads on here I sound like an idiot but I understand the theory behind what is going on I just don't understand the technical aspects of how to make it happen. I just drive them, I don't build them. I hire smart people for that.

Some of the work I will do myself but a lot of it I will farm out.
So what I really need to figure out is what I need to buy to accomplish where I want to go.
Essentially I need to build a shopping list.

__________________
You just might be a redneck if you start a conversation with:
"happened to us when Dad got pinched by the feds."
- Biker Pepe' -

probably should start with a locker out back. i recommend an aussie locker.

I'll agree with this all day long.

Quote:

Originally Posted by buffaloroams

For driveability and tire wear how does the Aussie lockers fare on-road?
Is there any advantage to them vs a welded Diff?

Several years ago I re-geared and locked my axle at the same time. Best thing I ever did to my bronco. I put 4.56 gears with and Aussie locker in the rear and love it. I don't DD it as much any more as I need a truck (with a bed) but I did DD for a long time after install. It does take some getting used to as the axles are locked together. Driving down the interstate has been no problem through tight city streets take some getting used too. I like to let mine coast through corners and tight turns so the locker will unlock (you can hear it ratchet). Where as with a welded rear it wont do that. Offroad it is awesome locks up and gives power to both wheels all the time.

On the front I went with a factory L/S that I put extra clutches in and works really well. I did that because I didn't want a locker to destroy my front in but the L/S gives me the advantage to having both wells spin until it gets bound up and then it starts slipping. On road with hubs unlocked can't even tell its there.

No, an 8.8" locker fits an 8.8" housing just fine. Explorer disks COME on an 8.8, but it's a narrow-track 28-spline with skinny axleshafts, small tubes, and small wheel flanges for the rotors to fit over. So putting those tiny brakes on a Bronco is like swapping to a 4-banger.

I'm talking about using modern Ford 1/2-ton truck 5-on-5.5" rear disks on a Bronco:

I haven't found a set of those brakes that I can afford yet, but I'm lookin'... I've already got the 16" rims.Temperature! (Seriously.)

Actually the Explorer axle is a 31 spline. Early ones are drum but the 1995 up are all disc brake. The disc brakes can be adapted to a Bronco, the rotors will have to be drilled for the 5 1/2" pattern and the outside of the Bronco axle flange machined down to fit inside the rotor. The caliper bracket pretty much bolts on. There is a good article mentioned previously. They are smaller than the E150 but will clear 15" wheels without a problem. I have one here, used the traction loc carrier and a Ford Racing carbon fiber clutch kit to upgrade a Mustang axle I put 31 spline Moser axles in. Some came with 4.11 gears as well. Most of the V8 2wd Explorers I have found had limited slip 3.73's.

I guess I never ran across an Explorer solid 8.8" w/31s. I thought only the independents got that. But I still wouldn't put those little disks under a Bronco.

I'm not sure why you call them little, they are 11.22" in diameter. Fronts on a 1978-1993 Bronco are 11.26" and 94-96 Bronco are 11.72. Rears on a 2005 E150 are 13" with 12.87 fronts. The rear rotors on both the Explorer and E150 are larger than normal because the parking brake is a small drum brake and more room was needed. I think the Explorer rear brakes would be a decent size match for Bronco front brakes.

Are you by chance confused with a Mustang 1994-2004 8.8 disc brake axle? They are weaker than an Explorer, 28 spline axles, smaller bearings (Explorers use the same rear axle shaft bearings as a Bronco) and 10.5" disc brakes except for the Cobras.

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